The Washington critic., 1887-08-03
WASHINGTON, AUGUST 8, 1881
THE ONE HUNDRED AT WORK.

OF nuOlC interest.
Tie gentlemen composing the com,
mittee are evidently alive TO the i'm
poTtaucc of the trust reposel in them,
and, while there may not he eutire
uuanimity Of opialon as to all matters
of policy brought under their cog
nizance, the spirit Of compromise as
well as progress possesses the members
of the organization, and there is little
doubt but what tboir proceedings will
be substantially harmonious and salts.
factory.
Mr. Dodge's amendment to the rules
requiring all movements for desired
legislation or the redress OF grievances
to bc made through the Central Com
mitiee, as the responsible medium of
communication with Congress and the
Commissioners, was very properly
adopted. This will be found necessary
in order 10 an effective and systematic
transaction Of business.
In regard to an increase of the police
force, the need of which is universally
admitted, the committee made q mis-.
take In not recommending the addition
of as many more men as are wanted.
The report OF the standing committee
says that the District cannot be prop.
erly policed without an increase of at
least one hundred; but the committee
fears that by asking for more than
Congress may be disposed to give, we
will get no increase at all; therefore,
only twenty men are asked for.
This is handling the question wrong
end first. Itwere far better 10 ask for the
larger number, so as TO allow Congress
margin to fall on. Whatever number
Is suggested, the chances are that Con.
gress will allow only fifty per cent, of
1t. By calling for two hundred, we
may secure one hundred. If we say
that we must have hundred we shall
probably be put off with fifty. SO If
we timidly suggest to the w.making
power at the Capitol that perhaps We
can get along with twenty, though we
really need hundred. Congress will
most likely condescend to answer the
appeal by granting an increase of ten.
II is not too late for the committee to
revise It's action In this respect. Ger.
tainly not less than one hundred should
be vigorously insisted on.
The proposed system Of police magis.
trates appears to present a remedy for
many existing abuses. 1t is subject,
however, that demands careful and
judicious consideration as a measure of
economy and relief
AS to the codi1cation of the laws of
the District so as to make the various
conflicting ordinances now in vogue
uniformly applicable, there can be but
one voice. 1t is an imperative and
urgent need.
A number of other questions were
considered by the committee last even
ing without final action, but all of
them having direct bearing upon the
welfare of the community and pointing
in the direction of reform. If indus.
trious attention to duty and vigilant
investigation of District affairs count
for anything, the committee Is Ger.
tainly making most encouraging aud
praiseworthy beginning, Of which In
due time many good results may be
expected.
WHATEVER grievances any portion
Of our citizens may have against the
District Commissioners, they are enti-
tied to all proper redress. The Dis
trict is entitled to every possible safe
guard against the evils OF misgovern.
ment, but even II the Commissioners
are guilty as charged at the Shea's Hall
meeting last night. they are not to be
condemned without hearing, Nor is
4, for moment TO be supposed that
they will be removed by the President
excepting after thorough investigation
and tangible demonstration of their
misfeasance. If 1t can be shown that
they are officially corrupt, the cours !,
OF action to be taken is plain. We are
not satisfied, however, upon the eyi.
dercc thus far adducyl thai tue Com
mlssloneTs have proved false to their
trusts In any disrepu'ahle sense, or that
they have not endoavored to admins
ter the laws and maintain the credit OF
the Government in the utmost good
faith, The shape that things hay,
taken Is unfortunate for the District
most OF all, because of the impressio,
created abroad on cX parte tes,im1n,
that Home Rule, for which the peoPl
have prayed so long and feryeujly, 4
after aIl mistake.
Tur Phlln1clphn Ncrs "ralbe
liho" liilrlns, "hpcluse hn seems t,
be ihe only Democrat In olire wboi
bold enough ,u state his rra opinion
about uf.ee.hpllinr What's tn
matter With General Stevenson? VIVA
with General Black Whpt with Pan
he Filnlcr EyutdiC.t By the ume til
net results of civil service reform
under the present Administration, ar
counted up, there will be found NOR
or less Higgins running through tn
whole ouliL
WE 10 not uELIEyE that the "fre
trade idea" has had much to do wit
reducing Democratic majorltIos In Ker
lucky The late earthquake shocks u
and down the Mississippi Valley ar
quite as responsible The same cause